Operating Schedule
See which of the mansions are open and when. Search by date or month, or view the full year’s schedule.
Guest Information
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Tours, Groups, Exclusive Experiences
Explore our various tour types to find what’s best for you and your group.
Accessibility
See specific information about access at each house and property.
History of Newport and the Mansions
Founded in 1639, Newport was an important port city, a center of the slave trade, a fashionable resort and the summer home of the Gilded Age rich.
What was the Gilded Age?
The Gilded Age was a period of unprecedented change in America. Fortunes were spent on luxuries such as the lavish "summer cottages" of Newport.
Deep Dive into the Show
Learn about the people, places and events depicted in Julian Fellowes' popular historical drama series.
“Inside the Newport Mansions” Gilded Age Conversations
Noted historians and authors share their insights into all aspects of Gilded Age America in this monthly series of interviews with the Preservation Society.
Become a Member
We invite you to become a member of the Preservation Society today.
Premium Memberships
We invite you to join these exclusive levels of membership for patrons interested in enhanced access and benefits at the Preservation Society.
Current Members
As a member, you can enjoy unlimited general admission to our properties and do not need tickets. Simply bring your membership card for admission.
Membership FAQs
Membership gives you free, unlimited access to regular guided and audio tours at all Newport Mansions properties.
About Us
Our mission is to protect, preserve, and present the best of Newport County's architectural heritage. Learn more about us and our work.
Wind Farm Federal Appeal: FAQs
The Preservation Society of Newport County is appealing federal agency approval of two massive wind farms off the Rhode Island coast.
Personal Photography on the Grounds
Rent our museums for commercial photography & videography, TV production, and wedding photography.
Commercial Filming or Photography
Museum Rentals & Weddings
Host your wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate event, or other celebration at our historic museums.
With David Baron, award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author
America’s Gilded Age, remembered for its ostentatious displays of wealth and fashion, was an era awash in excitement about the planet Mars. Beginning in the 1890s, an aristocratic Bostonian — the astronomer Percival Lowell — electrified the nation with writings and lectures that depicted Earth’s neighboring world as home to an advanced, peaceful and tragically dying civilization. Lowell offered “proof” in the form of photographs that revealed (or so he said) a planetwide irrigation network on the desiccated globe, and the Martians thus invaded American culture. You could read about them in The New York Times and see them portrayed on the Broadway stage. Pastors sermonized about the wise aliens, while inventors devised schemes to communicate with them so we might learn answers to life’s most existential questions.
Although Lowell’s theory eventually fell into disrepute and the frenzy abated, it left a permanent mark. The Mars craze inspired a new and enduring literary genre — science fiction — and laid the groundwork for the Space Age, setting our civilization on a course to explore and perhaps someday inhabit the mysterious world next door.
David Baron’s book “The Martians” will be available for purchase before the lecture and the author will be available for a book signing.
David Baron
David Baron worked for many years as science correspondent for WBUR and NPR, and as science editor for the GBH radio program "The World." His first book, "The Beast in the Garden," won the Colorado Book Award, and his second, "American Eclipse," received the American Institute of Physics Book Prize. While writing his latest book, "The Martians," he served as the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation. He lives in Boulder, Colorado.
"Mars People as They May Look," The Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque), Nov. 2, 1907. Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa.
"There is Life on the Planet Mars," The New York Times, Dec. 9, 1906. Courtesy of University of Colorado Boulder Libraries.
"Is Mars Inhabited?", Cosmopolitan Magazine, March 1908. Courtesy of Boston Public Library.
Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.
For the first time in the 129-year history of The Breakers, the private third-floor family space occupied by generations of Vanderbilts is open for public tours.Starting November 3, offered at 12 pm only.
See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age.
This exhibition examines the mind, ambition and legacy of America’s Dean of Architecture, who shaped Gilded Age America not only through the buildings he created – including The Breakers and Marble House – but also through his ideas.
New dates added, Oct. 14 & 17! Fans of HBO’s "The Gilded Age" will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where Julian Fellowes' historical drama series was filmed. Tuesdays and Fridays, August 15, 19, 22, 26 & 29; September 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 & 30; and October 7, 10, 14 & 17.
Learn about our latest exhibition spotlighting the great Gilded Age architect with a guided tour led by one of the primary collaborators on the exhibition.
SOLD OUT
Three days of fun and educational seminars, tastings, dinners and the fan-favorite Sunday Brunch await you at Rosecliff! Become a Preservation Society member and receive early access to purchase tickets before they become available to the general public. Individual events are also listed below.
Join us for an intimate culinary and wine experience, a celebration of legacy, craftsmanship and the art of fine wine, featuring Carissa Mondavi, granddaughter of the legendary Robert Mondavi, as our special guest.
Embark on a global journey of flavor showcasing selections from boutique wineries around the world.
Indulge in the art of charcuterie with a hands-on tasting experience featuring premium meats and cheeses from D’Artagnan.
Savor the bold, vibrant flavors of Spanish wines, infused with the country’s signature flair and passion.
Delight in world-class caviar gracefully paired with the effervescence of Britain’s finest sparkling wine.
Explore the art and elegance of bubbles and Bordeaux varietals from the iconic regions of France, Italy and California.
Take a captivating journey through the world of Pinot Noir, exploring its signature elegance and diverse expressions from renowned regions.
Discover how Chile’s most iconic terroirs reveal their truest expression from the country’s largest and most innovative estate grower.
Embark on a flavorful voyage with Whalers Brewing Company, where every glass is a new adventure.
Unlock the complexities of rum with this expert-led tasting, showcasing what defines authenticity.
Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson leads a stellar lineup of chefs to create an unforgettable menu thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines.
Journey to the heart of Italy’s Veneto region with this tasting of wines from Buglioni Organic Vineyards.
This seminar offers a deep dive into the history and heritage of Cognac, followed by an intimate tasting of Hardy’s rare and exceptional eaux-de-vies.
Discover the rich flavors of nature’s bounty gathered through the art of ethical foraging, paired with wines that enhance their natural essence.
Experience the smooth, rich flavors and subtle spice that make this bourbon a standout.
Dive into the bold and distinct flavors of this exceptional tequila, every bottle of which supports protecting the wild jaguars of Mexico.
Enjoy a spirited tasting adventure as we dive into two of France’s finest brandies, each with its own story, style and unforgettable flavor.
Embark on a flavorful journey through Portugal’s diverse wine regions, showcasing the country’s unique grapes, rich traditions and bold styles.
BHAKTA Spirits, brought to you by Raj Peter Bhakta — also the founder of WhistlePig — is the owner of the oldest, rarest and most exquisite single-vintage spirits across Armagnac, whiskey, rum and beyond.
Chef Samuelsson will share stories from his remarkable culinary journey and discuss his distinctive approach to flavor and culture, as you enjoy a delicious tasting plate and wine pairing.
A dazzling new addition to the Wine & Food Festival! Savor selected wines and spirits and an array of delicacies prepared by celebrated local chefs, all amid the grandeur of Marble House.
Join Jeffrey Curtis, the Preservation Society's Director of Gardens & Landscapes, to learn about the many species of trees on the grounds of Chateau-sur-Mer.
Indulge in a delicious brunch buffet curated by regional chefs while wine pours and music from a jazz quartet fills the elegant ballroom.
Explore the depth and elegance of wines from this groundbreaking Napa Valley estate.
Bold, rich and full-bodied — these reds are here to make a statement.
This tasting showcases the unique terroir and rising stars of one of America’s most exciting wine destinations.
Discover the diversity, history and charm of one of the world’s great wine regions.
Join this delightful journey through Provence as you taste and explore iconic rosés.
Festival Wine Director Matthew MacCartney shares his top five favorite wine selections of the weekend, handpicked for their character, quality and story.
Chief Curator Leslie Jones will discuss the Preservation Society’s newest exhibition, focusing on the great architect's life, travels and interests.
In an exclusive for our members, Director of Museum Affairs & Chief Curator Leslie Jones and Chief Conservator Patty Miller will give a wide-ranging update on the state of the Preservation Society collections.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a 3,000-year-old tradition from China that celebrates togetherness. We invite you to a family program celebrating this festival on the grounds of Marble House and in the Chinese Tea House.
Founded in 1993, the Newport Symposium has been an annual convening of fine and decorative arts experts and enthusiasts from across the country and the world. Attendees listen to stimulating lectures, experience behind-the-scenes study opportunities and gather to network and discuss the future of our history.
"Pearls of Newport" is the perfect theme for the 30th anniversary Newport Flower Show, celebrating the city's coastal identity and maritime history.
Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.
Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.
Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.
Partners in Preservation
